Herbert Sinclair, the baron of Reddington’s Mount Holly Estate, has passed away, leaving his estate and title to you, his grandnephew Simon. However, there’s a catch: you must locate the elusive 46th room in the mansion, a secret that has never been revealed.
This premise sets the stage for Dogubomb’s puzzle roguelike Blue Prince. Since its PC and PS5 launch last year, I’ve advised everyone to go in without any prior knowledge, making my review quite the challenge with its release on Switch 2.
For the best experience, I recommend embracing the game’s mystery. I’ll keep specifics to a minimum, but be assured, Blue Prince is an exceptional indie puzzler that captivates and lingers long after finishing. After nearly 80 hours exploring Mount Holly, diving into the Switch 2 version has reignited my obsession, and I’m still compiling notes filled with cryptic observations.
In Blue Prince, your goal is to navigate the dynamic rooms of the mansion while keeping track of what lies behind each door using blueprints. The rooms constantly shuffle, challenging you to choose wisely from the options presented every day. While you can earn upgrades during your journey, your most essential asset is the knowledge you gain about the estate.
The gameplay loop may not appeal to everyone as it can be frustrating to piece everything together, only to struggle with room arrangements for multiple days. Yet, this format enhances the game’s complexity. Although you can focus on uncovering the central mystery, the gameplay encourages broader exploration beyond just finding Room 46.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. A common room encourages players to take notes, and I found myself scribbling insights in notebooks filled with timelines and theories. Much like titles such as Outer Wilds and Tunic, the game is filled with moments that evoke both brilliance and frustration as you uncover its many secrets, often making for a rewarding “A-HA!” experience.
Despite some minor performance issues, the Switch 2 version holds up well visually. While it runs at 30fps and occasionally drops in busy areas, the art style is impressive. Although some players have reported bugs, my experience was smooth. In conclusion, if Blue Prince only revolved around finding Room 46, it would still be a fun puzzler, but its depth far exceeds that. This game has piqued my curiosity and remains one of the most satisfying puzzlers I’ve played. If you’ve read this far, it’s time to jump in and enjoy!
